Construction toy



Feb. 17, 1931. c GILBERT 1,792,976

CONSTRUCTION ,TOY

Filed Dec. 2 192T 3 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 17, 1931. Q R 1,792,976

CONSTRUCTION TOY Filed Dec. 22, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 66 g 79 70 67 76 7/ 4 I9 I5 Q01) 0 o a a 68 V o owmamoo o 00 m 20 30 3 O n i 57 3/ 59 o o ZJ1 75 I Ottawa Patented Feb. l7, 1931 outrun TAT Es PATENT OFFICE ALFRED C. GILBERT; OF I-IAMDEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSTGNOR, BY ItIESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO THE A. C. GILBERT COMPANY, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, A ,CORPOBA- TION 0F MARYLAND i oous'rnuorrou TOY Application filed. December 22, 1927. Serial No. 241,837.

This invention relates to construction toys having a plurality of detachable elements,

which are adapted for assembly with each other in avariety of Ways to form various toy models and mechanlsms. More part culate actual mechanical movements for the purpose of instructlon and entertainment.

ments of a construction toy, which will be useful as a side plate or portion of a supportlng structure.

Another object of this invention is to pro- 1 vide a toy element in the form of a combined side plate and foot memberadapted to be readily assembled to other toy elements of a construction toy, to support the same and secure the entire toy to a base member.

' Another object of this invention is to provide in. a construction toy, a toy element adapted for use. as a camming member, where by the toy mechanism formed bythe combination of elements willoperate as desired by the user. r

Still another object of this invention is to provide a cam element for a construction toy, which will be of such structure that parts thereof may be used for other purposes in combination with other toy elements.

A further object of this invention is to provide improved construction toy comprising a combination of detachable toy ele ments, and which may be'power' driven and operable to simulate actual mechanical movements for instruction and entertainment;

To these and other ends the invention; consists in the novel features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed. v f

In the accompanying drawings: V Fig.1 is a perspective view of a construction toy model embodying the features of this invention; i

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the upper structure of the model;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. leis a section on line %4of Fig. 3 Fig. 5is a section on line 55 of Fig. 3 Fig. dis a section on line 66 of Fig. 5 Fig. 7 is a section on line 7 7 of Fig. 2

Fig. '8 is a section through 'the novel form aqua Iof cam element; One object of this invention is to provide a toy element adapted for use with other ele- Fig; 9 is a face viewof a novel, form of toy element used in this toy as a side plate;

Fig. .lO'is a. bottom view of the element shown in 9;

Fig. 11 is a section on line 11.11 of Fig. 3; 12 is a section on line 12-12 of Fig. 11 and V Fig. 13 is a section on line 13-13 of Fig. 11. The particular model or device selected to iilustrate the novel features of thisinvention,

comprises a structure composed of a plurality oftoy elements assembled in such a manner as to simulate in form and operation a power driven box making machine. The toy is mounted upon a suitable base 10 by means of screws 11', which pass through perforations in the supporting members of the toy and of the toy electric motor 12.

End members, each comprising a pair of toy elements or plates 13. form the supports and the main parts of the frame-work for the toy illustrated. The side plates 13 are of sheet metal and each comprises a rectangularly shaped flat body portionlt, having an integrally formed leg portion 15, extend ing outwardly from one of thecorners thereof and terminating in a foot portion 16. The outer side of the foot portion 16 and the bottom edge thereof are substantially "parallel to the sides and the bottom edge of the body portion 14. A'flange 17 is provided upon one side of the body portion 1 1 and extends along the same to the leg portion 15. A flange 18 is provided upon the upper side of the leg portion 1a and extends along the same to the foot portion 16. A flange 19 is pro 'ided upon the outer side of the foot portion 16 and extends its entire length. Anotherflange 20 is provided upon the bottom edge of the foot portion 16 and extends its entire length. All of the flanges above mentioned extend outwardly from the adjacent portions in the same direction, and are substantially at right angles to the respective portions.

The body portion 1a is provided with aplurality of series of longitudinally spaced apart perforations. disposed generally parallel to the sides of this portion. The series of perforations are spaced apart transversely of the portion. The perforations in each series are alternately large round ones, 21, and small round ones, 22. V The adjacent perforations of adjacent series also alternate in the same manner. A large rectangular opening 23 is provided in the body portion 1 1 and is centered longitudinally but offset transversely with respect ther o, being disposed farther from the flanged side thereof than from the unflanged one.

The leg portion 15 is provided with small round perforations 24; and an elongated perforation 25. The foot portion 16 is provided with small round perforations 26. The flanges 17 and 18 are each provided with a series of spaced apart perforations which are alternately large, 27, and small, 28. The flange 19 is provided with an elongated perforation 2:), and the flange 20 with small round spaced apart perforations 30. The spacing of all of these spaced apart perforations in the body portion 14E. foot portion 16, and the flanges 1'4, 18 and 20, is equal to or a multiple of the spacing of perforations pro vided in other elements of the toy.

A pair of side plates 18 are secured together by means of bolts 31, that pass through corresponding perforations along the unflanged sides of the plates to form an end supporting member for the toy illustrated. To the foot portion 16 of each plate 13 an angle toy element 32 is secured by means of a bolt 31. The screws 11 pass through a perforation in one of the legs of each of the elements 32 and into the base 10. @bviously, the angle element 32 could be omitted in some instances, and the securing means, such as screws 11, could be passed through the perforations 30, disposed in the .lange 20 to secure the plates 13 to the base 10.

The side plates 13 when secured together as above described for use in the toy illustrated, form an end supporting member which is of a width substantially double the width of the plate 13 and of a height substantially equal to the plate 13. The equal spacing of the series of perforations in the plates, 13 make it possible to form end members of varying widths by overlapping the plates 13 so that the securing members; 81 may be inserted through corresponding perforations of other series thereof than the series adjacent the edge of the plate. A low and comparatively long end member may be formed by joining the plates 13 together with their upper ends in overlapped relation. Such a structure would provide an end member which in width would be substantially equal to double the height shorter end members, the height thereof being equal to the width of the plate 18. In

the latter event, the portion 19 of plate 13 then becomes the foot portion and would rest upon the base 10, the perforation 29 being used through wnich to pass a securing member to fasten the end member to a base 10 or other toy element.

In either of the above arrangements of parts the foot portion supports the plate in spaced relation to the base upon which it rests and permits the use of the lower perforations in the plate for sha ts or the like whereby the effective and useful area of the plate is increased.

The perforations 30 being spaced apart an equal amount or a multiple of the spacing betweenthe perforations and other toy elements, and the series ofperforations 21 and 22 in the body portion 14 being likewise spaced, will permit a pair of the plates 13, when secured together as above described, to be readily secured to another toy element inasmuch as the spacing between the per-- forations 30 in the foot portion of each plate will be spaced apart an amount which will be a multiple of the spacing between the perforations in the element to which the plates are to be secured. Due to this provision, the plates 13 may obviously 3e used as supports for other toy elements should they be disposed in a reverse position to that shown in Fig. 1, that is, with the foot portions directed upwardly to form outwardly extending arms or brackets.

he end supporting members so formed are secured together by means of perforated angle strips 33. Two of the strips 33 extend across the top and two across the bottom of the toy, firmly securing the supporting mem bers together. Each of the upper strips 33 is secured at each end to the flange 17 of the adjacent plate 1', by means of a bolt 31, which passes through corresponding perforations in each toy element. Each of the lower strips 33 is secured at each end to the flange 19 of the adjacent plate 13, by means of a bolt 31, which passes through corresponding perforations in each toy element. All of the angle strips 33 are positioned in the toy so that one legB l thereof is disposed in a horizontal plane.

Upon the surface of the horizontally dis- 7 of the plate 18, or as above pointed out, this could. be decreased in equal amounts to form posed leg 34 of the lower strips 33, and extending across the toy between the same :a flat perforatedstrip 35, which is bolted to the strips 33 at each end by bolts 31. in angle strip 36, which is similar in every respect to strip 33, also extends across the toy and is bolted. to the lower st ips by bolts 31. Between the upper strips 33 and.

extending across the toy, perforated cross braces or supports 37 are provided, each of which is, in this instance, composed of two angle strips which are bolted together adjacent end of each. Each of two of the element.

"these elements and are secured thereto by means of bolts' 31 and perforated angle toy supports 37 is disposed adjacent one of the end supporting members,-be1ng bolted thereto by bolts 31 which pass through correspondingperforations in each element; The.

Short perforated angle strips 39 extend upwardly from the brace '37 accnt supporting member, and from the intermediate brace 37. The ends of each of the strips 39 rest upon the upper surface of elements 40. The strips 39 support a su- V perstructure comprising a pair of side plates 41,[whi;h are spaced apart and secured together'hy means of cross braces, each cross brace being composed of a perforated short flat strip 42 having an angle toy element at each end thereof. The plates 41 are each provided with an outwardly extending portion 43, which overhangs an opening 44 formed in the toy by the intermediate cross brace 37, the brace 37 adjacent the forward end supporting member, and the forward portions of the upper strips 33.

A perforated plate 45 is provided and is adapted by suitable mechanism to be disposed in the opening 44, flush with the upper surface of the strips 33 and the braces 37, and to be lowered below the same while being retained parallel thereto. The mechanism by which this movement is accomplished comprises a vertical rod 46 which is 'secured'to the plate 45 by means of a hushed perforated disk 47, and the rods 48 secured to the plate 45 by means of hushed strips 49. The" rods 46 and 48 extend downwardly from the plate 45 and pass through perforations in the plate 35, being guided thereby. The disposed'one on either side of rod 46, being equallyspaced therefrom and in alignment therewith, the spacing being a multiple of the end rods 48 are the spacing between the perforations in the plate 35. An inverted U shaped member 50 is secured to plate 35. The member 50 is provided with a perforation in a portion thereof,'which is spaced from the plate 35. The rod 46 passes through this perforation and is guided thereby in its vertical movements. A clamp member 51 is secured to the lower end of rod 46 and below the :plate 35 to prevent upward movement of the rod beyond a desired amount. Another clamp member 52 is secured to rod 46, above the U-shaped' niei'nherhO to prevent downward movement 7 of the rod heyondthe desired amount. One

end of a lever 53 is pivotally secured to the 'clamp'memher 52, and the other end thereof is pivotally secured to'a swingable arm 54, which. in turn is pivotally secured to one of the end supporting members by means of an element 55 and a bolt 31. The tension of a coil spring 56, whichextends between the intermediate brace 37 and the lever 53, tends toretain the plate 45 in its uppermost position.

A perforated plate 57, similar in every re spect to plate 45, is disposed above and parallel to plate '45. Plate 57 is adapted by suitable mechanism to be-raised and lowered, when raised it is spaced above plate 45'and when lowered it engages the same and forces it downwardly against the tension of spring 56. The mechanism for raising and lowering plate 57 includes a rod" 58, which is secured to plate 57 by means of a hushed perforated disk 59, and a rod which is secured to the plate by a hushed strip 61. Each of the rods 58 and 60 extends upwardly from the plate 57 and passes through perforations in the ends 62 of one of a pair of toy elements 63. The elements 63 comprise a perforated strip of material, with the ends 62 thereof bent at right angles to the remainder and in the same direction. the perforations in'the ends 62, the rods 58 and 60 are guided in parallel relation and insure the desired movement of the plate 57 with respect to the plate 45. The strips '63 are secured to one of the extensions 43 by means of a bolt 64 in such a manner that the rod 58 is disposed intermediate the extensions 43 and substantially above and in alignment with red 46.

Intermediate the ends 62 of one of the strips 63, a clamp member 65 is secured to rod 58. One end of a link 66 is pivotally secured to the clamp member 65 and the other end thereof is pivotally secured to the forwa end of a lever 67 70. The lever 67 I extends rearwardly and adjacent its rear end is pivotally secured at 71 to a perforated strip 63, which is secured to one of the side plates 41. A pair of toy elements 69 is secured to the rear end of lever 67 and these act as Weights to counter-balance the weight of the plate 57 and the rods 58 and 60.

By passing through disposed nearer to the pivot ooint 71, the lever 6'? is provided with a cam follower T2. T he followe '72 projects inwardly substantially as rig ward and into toycammii intermediate the pivot points and 71,

angles to the lever 6'7, togroove 73 provided in a n a drum cam, which is be plates The toy c ming element, by means of screw clamp bushings M, is (liSPOfQil rotatabne s ming element compr a cyin c having the cam disposed about its a nent simula peripher in the present instance, thi c lindrical oouy is formed by two 1d formed cup-shaped members is and having a screw clamp bUSlllilff-f M dispos axially thereof and secured uoon portion 78 thereof. The edge of of the cup-shaped member 76 and l the open end thereof, is cut at the bottom 78 to to I camming edge there f e members 76 and 77 are positioned axially upon-the shaft *ith their open en opposed relation, a cam slot between the opposing bottom portion 78 of nbers 76 and TY, as ilius is formed partly by t members and partl by a bi 1 cured to the members by bolt The shaft Y5 extends downw a perforation in the tion in the strip L secured to the lower end A clamp member 81 secured to the shaft below and engages the under surface of the base portion 82 of an inverted U-shaped bracket 83, mounted upon the strip 38 to retain the shaft 75 against upward movement, the shaft 2 5 passing through a perforation provided in the base portion 82.

A gear is secured to shaft 75, the teeth of which mesh with worm 85 secured to a horizontally disposed shaft 86. The shaft 8-3 extends between the end supporting men bers and is jourualed in corrcsoondin foration in short perforated stri extend :1 es the lower portions in gs23 in opposed plates 13. The s are secured to the respective p poi tween opposed plates 13 of the end support ing members, being ournaled in correspondinnperforations therein.

The shaft extends beyond the rear end supporting member and has a pulley wheel 91 mounted upon the extended portion thereof. It belt 92 operatively connects the pulley 91 with pulley 93 mounted upon the armature shaft 94 of the toy electric motor 12. The motor 12 may be operated by connecting electrical power wires to the terminal posts 95 and 96, provided upon one of its side frames 97.

Operation of the motor 12, rotates the pulley wheel 91 by means of the belt 92. The shaft 90 is rotated by pulley wheel 91 and through the pinion 89 and gear 88 rotates shaft he shaft 86, by means of worm 85 and S t, rotates the vertical shaft 75 w iereby the toy camming element is rotated. The cam fol ower 7 2 disposed within the slot 73 1: the toy camming element, acts upon the lever 67 to raise or lower it according to the control the slot '73 engaged thereby. This action of the lever 67, due to its connection with the plate 57, raises or lowers the latter. ihe lrrworin of the plate 57 into contact with l plate 45, forces the latter downwardly. Ii. subsequent raising of the plate 57 by means of tlie toy camming element permits the ten sion of. the spring 56 to raise the plate 45. if; power driven operable toy is, therefore, provided, composed of detachable elements which, due to the spaced apart perforations which are provided therein, are capable of being assembled together in a variety of ways to form various models.

The toy above described simulates the operations of a box forming machine in which a flat sheet of material is formed into a box cover or bottom, having a base portion and upstanding sides and ends, the operation of such a mechanism being that of forcing the box material downwardly through an opening, whereby the sides and ends are turned upwardly by the sides of the opening, the base portion of the box being defined by the engaging plungers.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that the same is not to be limited thereto in all of its details, but is capable of modification and variation which will lie within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a construction toy of the type described, an element adapted for connection with other elements of the toy and comprising a rectangular flat body portion having a leg portion integral therewith and extending outwardly from a corner thereof, said leg portion terminating in a foot portion, said foot portion having an edge disposed parallel to one of the edges of said body portion, and another edge disposed at right angles to the first edge and parallel to another of the edges of said body portion whereby said element may be seated upon a base member with any desired edge thereof Ill disposed horizontally and spaced therefrom.

2. In a construction toy of the type de scribed, an element adapted for connection with other elements of the toy and comprising a rectangular flat bodyportion having a leg portion integral therewith and extending outwardly from a corner thereof and lying in the same plane, said leg portion terminating ina foot portion, said foot portion lying in the same plane as said body portion and having an edge spaced from and disposed parallel to one of the edges of said body portion, and another edge disposed at right angles to the first edge and spaced from and parallel to another of the edges of said body portion, and a flange-extending at right angles from each of the aforesaid edges of said foot portion whereby, said element may be seated upon a' base member with any desired edge thereof disposed horizontally and spaced therefrom. v j V 3. A construction toy element having a fiat body portion rectangular in shape with a row of perforations provided therein and disposed parallel to and adjacent one of its edges, an extension, integral with said body portion and lying in the same plane, directed from a corner of saidbody portion, formed by the meeting of the edge of said body portion opposite the aforesaid edge having per-- forations adjacent thereto, and an edge connecting the same,said extension having an edge spaced outwardly and from andsubstantially parallel to each of the edges of i said body forming such corner.

' a. 5A construction toy element having a flat body portion rectangular in shape with arow of perforations provided therein and disposed parallel to and adjacent one of its edges, an extension, integralwith said body portion and lying in the same plane, directed from a corner of'said-bodyvportion, formed by the meeting of the edge of said body portion opposite the aforesaid edge having perforations adjacent thereto, andan edge connecting the same, said extension having'an edge spaced outwardly and from and substantially parallel to each of the edges of said body forming such corner, and a base member, each of said extension-edges having a flange extending therefrom substantially at right angles thereto, and ada ted to seat upon the uppersurface of said ase member to support said body portion spacedup'wardly therefrom, with the edge of said body por-, tion adjacent said base member parallel with the upper surface thereof.

5. A construction toy element having a. fiat body portion rectangular in shape, with a row of perforations providedtherein and disposedparallelto and adjacent one of'its.

edges, an extension, integral with said body" portion and lying in the same plane, directed from a corner of said body portion, formed by the meeting; of the edge of said body porsaid body portion tion oppositexthe aforesaid edgehavingperforationsadj acent thereto, and an edge connecting the same, said extension having an edgejspaced outwardly' 'and from e ach ofthe edges of'saidfbodyforming such corner, and a similarly formed element having its edge adjacent which the perforations areprovided V overlapping the, corresponding edge of said first mentioned element, with the perforatiOIlSjin each coinciding to receive fastening meinbers and thereby form atoy frame unit havingan edge provided with an extension directed outwardly from opposite corners thereof, and being spaced from the ends of said extensions. 7 v v v 6. In a construction toy of the type described, an element adapted for connection with other elements of the toy, and comprising a rectangular flat body portion having a leg portion integral therewith andlextending ..-outwardly{fro1n a corner thereof, said leg pertion terminating in a foot portion, said foot portion having an edge disposed parallel to one of the edges of said body portion, and another edge parallel to another of the edges of said body portion in combination with another element similar in structure to the first mentioned element, said elements being disposed relatively to each other with the edge of each, that is opposite the edge from which said leg portion extends, adjacent, and means to secure said elements together.

7. In a construction toy of the type de-' scribed, an element adapted'Yf-or connection with other elements of the toy, and compris ng a rectangular flat body portion having a foot portion integral therewith and adjacent 'a corner thereof, said foot portion having an edge disposed parallel to oneof the edges of said body portion, and another edge parallel toanother of the edges of said body portion whereby said element may be seated upon a base member with any desired edge thereof disposed horizontally.

8. In a construction toy of thetypeadescribed an element adaptedfor connection with otherelements of the toy, and Comprising. a-re'ctangular flat body portion having a foot portion integral therewith and adjacent a corner thereof, said foot portion hav- 7 ing an edge disposed parallel to one of the portion. I v

9; In a COIlSlZIllCtlOIitOY, an element having a flat body portion rectangular in shape,

an extension integral with said body portion and lying in the same plane, directed from V edges of said body portion and another edge parallel to another of the edges offsaid body 7 portion, and a flange extending at an angle 3 from each of the aforesaid edges of said foot a similarly formed element having its edge, opposite the edge from which said extension extends, disposed adjacent the corresponding edge of said first mentioned element, and being secured thereto whereby a toy frame unit having an edge provided With an eX tension directed outwardly from opposite corners thereof and being spaced from the ends of said extensions, will be formed and 10 provided.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 21st day of December, 1927.

ALFRED C. GILBERT. 

